Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 10: Triranga Sangama Mumbai, an arts and cultural organization serving the community for the past three years, celebrated its third annual event in grand style at the Smt Radha Bai T Bhandary Auditorium, Bantara Bhavan, Kurla East. The event took place on the stage dedicated to the late Madhyaguttu Smt Leelavati Shyam Shetty and featured a variety of cultural programs.
The celebrations were presided over by Ravindranath M Bhandary, managing director of Welcome Packaging Industries. Gunakar Ramadas Prabhu, president of ISKCON Mangaluru, inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional lamp. Chitra Raviraj Shetty, president of the women’s wing of Bantara Sangha, performed the Tulsi Pooja, while former president of Thane Bunts Association, Venugopal L Shetty, formally commenced the program by placing the ceremonial Kalasha. Ashok Purohit blessed the occasion with his benediction.
The event saw the presence of several eminent guests, including social workers Tonse Jayakrishna Shetty, L V Ameen, Ashok Shetty (Thane Bunts), Kishore Shetty Aikala, Uday Shetty Malarabidu, Rajesh B Shetty (Jawab), Jayanth M Shetty Vartak Nagar, and entrepreneurs Krishna Y Shetty, Mahesh S Shetty (Baba’s), Ashok Shetty Permude (Kalpavriksha), Shankar A Shetty Kukkundoor (Bhandup), Jayanth N Shetty Surat, and Sarvottam Shetty Abu Dhabi.
Under the leadership of Harish G Avin, president of Billawa Association Mumbai, a special event titled Karnuru Ondu Nenapu (A Tribute to Karnuru) and the Karnuru Award ceremony were held. Dr Praveen Bhat of Sion delivered a keynote speech. Dignitaries such as Anni C Shetty, Uma Krishna Shetty, Ratna Prabhakar Shetty, Arunoday S Rai, Chandrashekar Palettadi, and Kudi Sudhakar Shetty were present. The Karnuru Smarana Award 2025 was conferred upon veteran Yakshagana artist Aruva Koragappa Shetty in memory of the late Karnuru Koragappa Rai.
The felicitation ceremony was inaugurated by Aikala Harish Shetty, president of the Global Bunts Federation, by lighting the lamp in honor of Sri Devi. Praveen Bhoja Shetty, president of Bunts Sangha Mumbai, Sarvottam Shetty, honorary president of UAE Bunts Dubai, Ratnakar Shetty Mundkur of Srirath Finance, journalist Chandrashekar Palettadi, and Dr R K Shetty, chairman of Issar Financial Services Pvt Ltd, honored Aikala Harish Shetty with a special felicitation.
The event also featured a star artists’ gathering, where renowned music director Dr Gurukiran, comedy icon Naveen D Padil, Tulu theatre legend Aravind Bolar, Daijiworld's Walter Nandalike, and magician Kudroli Ganesh mesmerized the audience with their performances .
Throughout the day, a variety of cultural programs, including dance, drama, and music, were performed by members of prestigious city-based associations. The event also included competitions in singing, classical music, and poetry recitation. A highlight of the day was Panchajanya, a grand Yakshagana dance-drama featuring Bhagavatha Sri Raksha Hegde Siddapur, A P Pathak on Maddale, Prashanth Kaigadi on Chende, and artists Niharika Bhat and Nagashree in lead roles.
Mallika Shetty and Tara Rai delivered the opening prayers. Karnuru Mohan Rai, one of the key figures behind Triranga Sangama, extended a warm welcome. Under the coordination of Ashok Pakkala, a literary discussion titled Sugipu-Gainada Tulipu Vichara Manthana was conducted. The program was compered by Navaneeth Shetty Kadri, while Naveen Shetty Innabalike delivered the vote of thanks.
The event was a grand celebration of art, literature, and culture, reflecting the vibrant heritage of the Bunts community in Mumbai.